Alberta is forecasting to lead the country in economic growth again next year. Red Deer is expecting thus preparing for more declines in economic growth.
Alberta is expecting population growth of almost 4% next year while Red Deer talks of declining population. Blackfalds leads the country in population growth again and is also, again expanding their recreational facilities. Lethbridge with a population growth making it one of the fastest growing cities in the country is also investing in more recreational facilities.
Red Deer’s A-list came out and interesting enough the number one activity mentioned was swimming and the city is talking about delaying building the Aquatic Centre for another 4 years for finishing in 2025. The A-list also says the favourite location is the Collicutt Centre, located in the south-east corner of the city, the city wants to just replace the downtown pool with it’s inherent traffic and parking problems which would only be multiplied with hoped for population growth.
Red Deer A-list stresses swimming, the city should be facilitating an accelerated expansion of swimming pools but they are delaying the construction of another pool for another 30 years. Fear not remember the city is spending a million on pickle ball courts.
The city hopes to attract 25,000 new residents north of Hwy 11a in the north-west corner of the city. No plans for a swimming pool, they can travel downtown exasperating traffic and parking issues or travel to the Collicutt Centre in the south-east corner of the city which is the preferred choice of the 60% of the city’s recreational population.
Why not, as there will not be any high schools north of the river, anyways, with 5 high schools built and planned for east of 30th Avenue, just beside or down the road from the Collicutt Centre.

2023 will be a pivotal year in Red Deer. Red Deer will be reduced to having only 3 pools.
Collicutt Centre will be celebrating it’s 22 anniversary just as the shovels hit the dirt on a proposed replacement Multi-plex Aquatic Centre.
2001 the Collicutt opened it’s doors for the first time. Red Deer’s population was a hefty 68,308 residents.
1991 Mayor McGhee and council decided it was prudent for Red Deer to have a fourth recreational complex. The population was 58,252 residents and a recreational centre for every 15,000 was the established goal.
2001 Red Deer’s fourth recreational centre opened to a population ratio of a recreational centre for every 17,077 residents. Already behind the target.
There was, as recently as last year that the ratio of 1 indoor ice rink per 15,000 was established as determined for recreational complexes. With that in mind we should have built a new recreational complex with a swimming pool, in 2004 when the population was at 75,923. Giving us 5 recreation centres or 1 for every 15,000 residents as was deemed appropriate. Then again in 2010 when our population was 90,084 we should have built the 6th recreational complex.
If we followed this reasoning we should be planning on opening our 7th recreational complex because our population is 99,832 according to our last municipal census and if we were to grow at 1.2% annually we should hit 120,000 in 2021.
That did not and will not happen. The best we can hope for is a replacement Aquatic Centre to open in 2025.
The ideal goal is one for every 15,000 residents but if we build a 5th recreational complex with an indoor pool then we would have to settle for 1 for every 24,000 residents, which is better than just replacing a pool, as currently planned.
A fifth recreational complex north of hwy 11a would service the residents, expand tourism and kick start development north of 11a.
The current thinking is the city will tear down the downtown recreation centre and build the aquatic centre there. Leaving us with only 4 or 1 recreational complex for every 30,000 residents.
Instead of 7 we would be left with 4 for another 25 years.
What do we do? Councillor Tanya Handley has declared that she cannot support building the aquatic centre downtown with poor parking but would support building it as Councillor Frank Wong has been advocating, north of 11a near Hazlett Lake to kick start development. Newcomer Councillor Michael Dawe would consider moving the aquatic centre as would another.
That gives us 4 councillors but with 8 councillors and the mayor voting on the issue in a year, we need the commitment of 5 to ensure a new pool and not just a replacement.
I am asking all councillors and the mayor to commit to building a new aquatic centre north of 11a. Why now?
The city is a bureaucracy that tends to move slowly and in precise steps. It is always too early then it’s too late. We need commitment now so the city can make the necessary adjustments when necessary. Please commit.
I was on the citizen committee that made the recommendations cited by the city. Those recommendations was made on the premise of (1)an immediate build when (2) no land was available for a new aquatic centre. There is now a delayed construction start and there is lots of land available for a new build.
So while the province and neighbouring communities are investing in recreational facilities and reaping the rewards of economic and population growth why is Red Deer taking the reverse route?
I guess I will learn to play pickle ball.